time to explore with esplora
Take a look at the nine local attractions to receive travellers’ choice award
Fort St Angelo
Have you heard? Nine Heritage Malta attractions have received the 2020 Travellers’ Choice Award from TripAdvisor, in recognition of their outstanding service and quality.
The attractions that received this award, which is based on the quality and quantity of millions of reviews, opinions and ratings collected over 2019, are:
Ħaġar Qim and Ġgantija
Photo: Rene ROSSIGNAUD
What are they? A megalithic temple complex, which dates back to the Ġgantija phase (between 3600 and 3200BC). Recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, the temples have been described as “unique architectural masterpieces”
Where are they? In Qrendi
Check them out here.
Ħal Saflieni Hypogeum
Photo: Quality Assured Malta
What are they? An underground prehistoric burial site, with remains dating back to around 4000BC. It’s inscribed in the UESCO World Heritage List as a site that “bears a unique testimony to a civilisation which has disappeared”
Where are they? In Paola
Check them out here.
St Paul’s Catacombs
Photo: Heritage Malta
What are they? A burial ground from Punic and Roman times, representing the earliest and largest archeological evidence of Christianity in Malta, used up to the 7th and possible 8th centuries AD.
Where are they? Ħal Bajjada in Rabat
Check them out here.
Fort St Angelo
Photo: GuideMeMalta.com
What is it? A bastioned fort, originally built during the medieval period as a castle. It was then rebuilt by the Order of St John as a bastioned for between the 1530s and the 1560s.
Where is it? In Birgu
Check it out here.
Fort St Elmo
What is it? A two-fold experience. Originally intended as a war-machine, the fort was built in a strategic location by the Order of St John in 1552. The fort also hosts the National War Museum, which houses a superb collection of artefacts.
Where is it? In Valletta
Check it out here.
The National Museum of Archaeology
Photo: GuideMeMalta.com
What is it? It is a museum, renowned as one of the most elaborately decorated Baroque buildings in the city. It was constructed in 1571 to serve as the official residence of the Knights of the Order of St John.
Where is it? In Valletta
Check it out here.
The Palace Armoury
What is it? It’s a showcase of the opulence of the Knights of St John. A collection of weapons and military equipment, which became the pride of the Order when Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt transferred it to the Magisterial Palace in 1604.
Where is it? In Valletta
Check it out here.
Ta’ Kola Windmill
Photo: Heritage Malta
What is it? A windmill, with origins that date back to 1725, during the magistracy of Grand Master Manoel de Vilhena (1722-1736). It’s one of the few surviving windmills on the islands dating back to the Knights’ period.
Where is it? Xagħra, Gozo
Check it out here.
The awards form part of an on-going effort of TripAdvisor, to support the recovery of the tourism and hospitality industry following the COVID-19 pandemic. Heritage Malta CEO, Noel Zammit said: “When considering how tough this year has been to our industry, such news encourages us to strive harder in order to keep ensuring the best service to our visitors. We’re passionate about our cultural heritage and these awards reflect our aim to excel in what we do”.
